by Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports

But he might have enough sway among his fervent legions of fans to justify the sort of catchy nickname that success has afforded his Hendrick Motorsports teammates.

"We got Four-Time (Gordon) and Five-Time (Johnson), and I wonder if Jimmie and Jeff will call me 'Ten-Time' now," he said with a laugh. "I'm king of hoping maybe I get me a nickname."

Despite a disappointing end to a pivotal season, Earnhardt was in good spirits Thursday at the Wynn Ballroom, where he was named NASCAR's most popular driver in fan voting for the 10th consecutive year

That streak ties him with Bill Elliott, who still holds the record for most overall (16), but accepting the award doesn't get any easier

"It's just real hard to get up there and express your emotions and how much it means to you when you win it repeatedly," said Earnhardt, who led a top five of Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart and Johnson. "Because each time you win it, it means a little bit more. Words do an injustice to spelling out what it really means."

A brief acceptance speech was Earnhardt's lone opportunity to put a bow on a season in which he ended a four-year winless skid and led the standings for the first time in nearly eight years.

Because of a concussion that sidelined him for two races during the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Earnhardt finished last in the 12-driver playoff for the title. Only the top 10 drivers in points make speeches during Friday's nationally televised Sprint Cup Awards Ceremony.

It's a mixed blessing for Earnhardt.

"I get super nervous, so there's a part of me that's a little bit OK that I don't have to go through that process," he said. "The one thing that runs through your mind is you don't have the opportunity to thank (crew chief) Steve (Letarte). Thank my team. Thank (team owner) Rick (Hendrick) and all my sponsors. You don't get a chance to acknowledge them. That's such a big stage, and it's in front of the entire sport, all your peers, and you don't get the opportunity to really give people thanks, to be able to give the credit. That's probably regretful and a bit of a bummer."

It wasn't uncomfortable to receive the most popular award, though, unlike when he missed the Chase in 2009-10 and still earned it.

"It was real tough to accept; almost a shameful, embarrassed feeling," he said. "When we run like we did (in '12), it makes me proud to acknowledge and talk to the fans and tell them how I felt. I know they're looking forward to what we can do next year, hoping we can be as competitive and take that next step."

Though he watched Brad Keselowski - a driver he once mentored - win his first title this year, Earnhardt doesn't believe the chance is slipping away for his inaugural crown in NASCAR's premier series.

"Drivers have the ability to be fast and competitive well into their late 40s," said Earnhardt, who turned 38 last month. "Like Mark Martin as old as he is (53), he's still one of the fastest guys and best qualifiers in the sport, one of the most competitive drivers, one of the fastest pure speed guys on the circuit. I feel like if I apply myself, I should be able to remain competitive and even be better in the future."

There is a legitimate question of whether he can maintain his most popular driver streak with Danica Patrick entering Sprint Cup next year.

"She'll bring a lot of awareness," he said. "It's not an award that you get competitive about it. I think it's an honor and a real privilege to accept, and it's exciting for whoever gets to be a part of that. If I'm fortunate enough to continue to win another year, that'd be a great feeling."

Earnhardt was more focused Thursday on maintaining on-track success. He is planning a rigorous off-season testing schedule in hopes of improving his qualifying while adapting to a new model in 2013.

"We don't have the big chunks to gain like we did before," he said. "We had a great season. We can't forget how good we ran. We need to hold that confidence that we had throughout the regular season, put aside the issues with the concussion and then coming back and letting a few races get away from us at the end of the year.

"We need to just put all that aside and think about how good we were throughout the year and try to emulate that at the start of the season. That same tenacity, excitement, anticipation. Let all that build up because when you're excited about something, you're happy and got a smile on your face. We need to go into testing with that type of attitude."

Earnhardt said he hasn't needed any follow-up visits for the two concussions he suffered last season but says he learned "an incredible amount" from the experience and still keeps in touch with doctors.

"There's nothing I can do about finishing 12th. I'm just glad I got an opportunity to come back and was able to overcome the setback physically. I just feel there's a bit of relief and excitement that I feel good and ready to race and I'm able to pick back up where we left off. You just never know sitting at home wondering if you're ever going to get right again. So I feel lucky."

Gordon was surprised when he received the Myers Brothers Award for outstanding contributions to NASCAR, for his charity work.